Aircraft structure and method of manufacture

Abstract

The technology herein relates to an aircraft structure for being moveably mounted externally on an aircraft, the aircraft structure being an aerodynamic structure comprising a structural component providing structural strength and stiffness to the aircraft structure, the structural component comprising an integral fixing for moveably mounting the aerodynamic structure externally to the aircraft, and an integral fixing for attachment to an actuator for actuating movement of the aircraft structure with respect to the aircraft, and an aerodynamic surface component attached to one side of the structural component, the aerodynamic surface component providing an aerodynamic external surface of the aircraft structure. The technology herein also relates to a method of manufacturing the aircraft structure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention concerns aircraft structures and methods of manufacture. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns an aircraft, structure for being moveably mounted. externally on an aircraft, the aircraft structure being an aerodynamic structure. The invention also concerns an aircraft with plurality of such aircraft structures and a method of manufacture of the aircraft structure(s).[0002]Moveable aerodynamic aircraft structures, such as spoilers, flaps, slats, ailerons, elevators and rudders, are particularly expensive to manufacture. This is especially the case for spoilers, where each spoiler on an aircraft has a slightly different shape, requiring different tooling to manufacture each spoiler and interface components. This results in a very large number of bespoke parts required. For example, a typical single-aisle aircraft may have 10 spoilers (5 spoilers on each wing). Due to this large number of bespoke parts, the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a method for making aerodynamic components for aircraft using the same tooling. The method allows for separate components that can be used for each spoiler without compromising the overall performance of the aircraft. The use of a sheet component made from a synthetic composite material with uni-directional fibers in a resin matrix, and a non-sheet component made from chopped long fibers in a resin matrix, allows for a cost-effective manufacturing process while maintaining the strength of the components. The chopped long fibers can easily be molded into complicated shapes, while the uni-directional fibers can be easily used to form a sheet.

Problems solved by technology

Moveable aerodynamic aircraft structures, such as spoilers, flaps, slats, ailerons, elevators and rudders, are particularly expensive to manufacture.

This results in a very large number of bespoke parts required.

Due to this large number of bespoke parts, the manufacture process is often largely manual to minimise the initial tooling required.

This increases the recurring cost of manufacturing the parts.

Whilst consideration has been given to using the same size and shape of spoilers, it has been found that this overly compromises the aerodynamic performance.

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